Method and apparatus for separating solid impurities from a fluid

ABSTRACT

The disclosed method and apparatus separates solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities. The method and apparatus allow the introduction of influent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities into a plurality of channels and allowing at least a portion of the solid impurities initially present in the influent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of a plurality of plates forming the channels or slide down the upward-facing surfaces, while permitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a portion of solid impurities, to flow upward toward the top edges of the plurality of plates. The influent is introduced into the plurality of channels in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the solid impurities, which have separated from the influent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/582,037, filed on Dec. 23, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/571,286, filed Aug. 9, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,945,401, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/522,617, filed Aug. 11, 2011, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separatingsolid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities using agravity plate settler that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of solidimpurities, which have separated from the influent, caused by incominginfluent.

BACKGROUND

Gravity plate settlers are known for use in water treatment facilitiesfor separating solid impurities from an influent flow of fluid.Typically, a plurality of parallel plates are connected in series in asettling tank. The influent flow of fluid is distributed across thewidth of the plates and then flows upwardly under laminar flowconditions. The solid impurities settle on the plates while the fluidthat has been depleted of the solid impurities exits from the plates aseffluent at the top.

One example of a gravity plate settler is U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,278 toGalper. This patent discloses a modular plate settler comprising inletports for receiving an influent flow of liquid, a settling tank forsettling and collecting solids separated from the influent flow ofliquid, outlet weirs for discharging an effluent flow of clarifiedliquid, a parallelogram shaped enclosure provided with a full bottomopening for receiving the influent flow of liquid from the settlingtank, and a plurality of inclined parallel gravity settling plateswithin the enclosure. The influent flow of liquid passes over thesettling plates toward a full top opening such that the solids settle onthe plates and slide downwardly under gravitational force into the tank.As a result, the flow of liquid is clarified of solids and flows throughthe top opening and effluent trough toward the outlet weirs.

It is desired to provide a new and improved method and apparatus forseparating solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impuritiesusing a gravity plate settler in which the influent is prevented frommixing with or stirring up the solid impurities already separated fromthe influent stream. This prevention of mixing or stirring may have theeffect of improving the overall efficiency of the gravity plate settler.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofseparating solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities,comprises: introducing influent comprising a fluid containing solidimpurities into a plurality of channels, which are formed by a pluralityof plates, each plate having a bottom edge, a top edge and at least oneside edge connecting the bottom and top edges, the plurality of platesbeing stacked substantially parallel to one another and at an inclinedefined by an acute angle measured from a vertical edge joined to a sideedge of a plate comprising said plurality of plates, and allowing atleast a portion of the solid impurities initially present in theinfluent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of said plurality of platesor slide down said upward-facing surfaces while permitting fluid, whichhas been depleted of at least a portion of solid impurities that haveseparated from the influent, to flow upward toward the top edges of saidplurality of plates where the depleted fluid can be discharged aseffluent. Influent is introduced into the plurality of channels in amanner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the solid impuritiesthat have separated from the influent.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusfor separating solid impurities from a fluid containing solidimpurities, comprises: a receptacle; an inlet section for flow ofinfluent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities into thereceptacle; a plurality of plates disposed within the receptacle, eachplate having a bottom edge, a top edge and at least one side edgeconnecting the bottom and top edges, the plurality of plates beingstacked substantially parallel to one another and at an incline definedby an acute angle measured from a vertical edge joined to a side edge ofa plate comprising said plurality of plates; a plurality of channelsformed between adjacent plates of said plurality of plates, theplurality of channels being configured to permit fluid to flow upwardsand to permit solid impurities to settle on said plurality of plates orto slide downward along said plurality of plates; and an outlet sectionat the top edges of said plurality of plates, which is configured todischarge effluent out of the receptacle. Openings leading to theplurality of channels are configured to introduce influent above thesolid impurities, which have separated from the fluid by settling on orsliding down said plurality of plates.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed descriptions are exemplary and explanatory only,and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the description, appended claims, and theaccompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which arebriefly described below.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for separating solid impurities from a fluidcontaining solid impurities according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing a system for fluid treatment usingthe apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows one plate that can be used in the apparatus of FIG. 1according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross section of the plurality of plates alongsection line A-A in FIG. 1 in which the formation of the channels fromthe plurality of plates is shown according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1along section line B-B.

FIG. 6 shows a side wall used in the apparatus of FIG. 1 according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side wall used in the apparatus of FIG. 1 according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the side wall of FIG. 7 holding a plurality of plates.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the plurality of channels where theopenings of the channels are located at the same level as the solidimpurities.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the plurality of channels where theopenings of the channels are located at a level above the solidimpurities according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a support structure used for supporting the plurality ofplates formed by the methods shown in FIGS. 11 through 13.

FIG. 15 shows an apparatus for separating solid impurities from a fluidcontaining solid impurities according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16A shows a side view of a stack of plates according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B shows the side view of the plate stack of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C shows the top view of the plate stack of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16D shows the isometric view of the plate stack of FIG. 16A

FIG. 16E shows a detailed view of one of the brackets of FIG. 16B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be explained withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 for separating solid impurities from afluid containing solid impurities and FIG. 2 is a schematic drawingshowing a fluid treatment system 100 that uses the apparatus 10.Generally, the apparatus 10 may comprise a receptacle 12; an inletsection 14 for the flow of influent 16 comprising a fluid containingsolid impurities into the receptacle 12; a plurality of plates 18disposed within the receptacle 12, and an outlet section 15 configuredto discharge effluent out of the receptacle. The plurality of plates 18are used to form a plurality of channels 26 in which fluid containingsolid impurities are fed into the channels via openings 28 in thechannels 26. The mixture of fluid and solid impurities undergo aseparation as the fluid (having a lower specific gravity) flows upwardsalong the plates (the flow being driven by the pressure caused by thewater level in the receptacle) while at least a portion of the solidimpurities (having a higher specific gravity) settles on the plates 18due to gravitational forces and/or slides down the plates 18 due totheir weight by the force of gravity. The solid impurity may be anyundesired material, such as sand, dirt, waste products, or other solidor semi-solid contaminants. The fluid may be any suitable fluid, such aswater, wastewater, or a hydrocarbon that has a specific gravity lowerthan the solid impurity. The specifics of the system 100 and apparatus10 will now be explained.

The receptacle 12 may be any suitable containing structure forcontaining the fluid containing the solid impurities and for housing thecomponents disposed within the receptacle 12. For example, thereceptacle 12 may be a concrete basin, a metal tank, a vessel, or otherstructure used to contain liquid. The receptacle 12 may be free standingor may use a support structure 11 to keep the receptacle 12 in asuitable position so as to retain the fluid containing the solidimpurities therein. The receptacle may be of any suitable material suchas concrete, steel, stainless steel, or any other suitable material. Thereceptacle 12 is in fluid communication with the inlet section 14 andthe outlet section 15.

As seen in FIG. 2, the inlet section 14 may be connected in fluidcommunication to a fluid delivery system 102. The fluid delivery system102 may comprise a fluid source 104 (such as a reservoir) which containsthe fluid containing the solid impurities. A pumping system 106 can beused to propel the fluid from the fluid source 104 to the inlet section14. The pumping system 106 may contain all the necessary equipment toinitiate and maintain the fluid flow between the fluid source 104 andthe apparatus 10, such as a pump 108 with a motor 109, a control valve110, and/or suitable piping/tubing 112.

The pumping system 106 may also include a controller 107. The controller107 is used to control the motor 109 (which, in turn, controls the pump108) and/or the control valve 110 so as to obtain optimum operatingconditions. The controller 107 may also monitor various operationalparameters of the system 100, such as the water level in the receptacle12 by using a water level sensor 114, the flow of fluid out of thereceptacle 12 using a flow meter 118, the chemical composition of theeffluent using one or more chemical sensors 120 at the exit of thedevice 10, any other suitable sensors, or any combination thereof.Optionally, the flow of fluid into the receptacle 12 may be monitoredusing a flow meter. The controller 107 may also include a displayconfigured to display various desired operational parameters that aremeasured by the various sensors or calculated using the measurementsfrom the sensors, a panel so that a user may operate the system 100,and/or an alarm to notify a user if a monitored parameter is outside apermissible operational range. The controller 107 may be constituted bya microcomputer comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a read-onlymemory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an input/outputinterface (I/O interface). Alternatively or additionally, the controllermay be constituted by a plurality of microcomputers. The controller 107may comprise the necessary hardware and/or software to carry out itsfunctions disclosed herein. For example, the software may be stored on atangible memory device, such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, which is accessibleby the controller 107.

The inlet section 14 may comprise a conduit 62 and a feed channel 13.The conduit 62 may be tubing, piping, hosing, ducting or any othersuitable device with associated fittings used for connecting the fluiddelivery system 102 to the feed channel 13.

The feed channel 13 connects the conduit 62 to the openings 28 of theplurality of channels 26 formed by the plurality of plates 18. The feedchannel 13 may use tubing, piping, hosing, ducting or any other suitabledevice with associated fittings disposed within the receptacle 12.According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 5, the feed channel 13 is afeed box that runs along side the plurality of plates 18 and is formedby the side walls 36 which have openings 28 so that the fluid in thefeed box is directed into the channels 26 via these openings 28. As aresult, the feed channel 13 is configured so that the plurality ofchannels 26 are in fluid communication with the conduit 62 for the entryof the fluid containing solid particles (as influent) into the pluralityof channels 26. The embodiment of FIG. 1 has a plurality of stacks ofplates. If more than one stack of plates is disposed in the receptacle,the feed channel may be configured so as to be in fluid communicationwith all the stacks of plates and their associated channels 26 via theirrespective openings 28.

The apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 shows the plurality of plates 18 within thereceptacle 12 while FIG. 3 shows one plate that can be used in theapparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a partial cross section of theplurality of plates along section line A-A in FIG. 1 in which theformation of the channels from the plurality of plates is shown. Eachplate 18 disposed in the receptacle 12 may have a bottom edge 20, a topedge 22 and at least one side edge 24 connecting the bottom and topedges. According to one embodiment of the present invention, each plate18 may have two side edges 24 connecting the bottom and top edges, asseen in FIG. 3.

The plates may be made of any suitable material such as fiberglass,fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a stainlesssteel alloy, carbon steel, glass, or any other suitable material. Theplates can be any suitable thickness, such as a thickness in the rangeof 3/16″ to ¼″, preferably 9/32″ to ⅛″.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the plurality of plates 18 (shown in solidlines in FIG. 1 and shaded in FIG. 4) are stacked parallel orsubstantially parallel to one another in the receptacle 12 and at anincline defined by an acute angle a measured from a vertical edge orvirtual vertical plane 25 joined to an edge of a plate comprising theplurality of plates. According to various embodiments of the presentinvention, the plates may be substantially parallel with a 3° or lessdeviation, preferably 1° or less. The acute angle a may be any suitableangle, such as, for example, an angle between 25° to 75°, preferably 25°to 65°, most preferably 55°.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, there aretwo sets of stacked plates 18 that run parallel with each other. It iscontemplated that the number of plates and stacks of plates may changeaccording to cost and design considerations, such as size, capacity,maintenance, etc. For example, the number of stacks of plates may beone, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, more than twenty or anyinteger therebetween. Similarly, the number of plates per stack mayrange from two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, hundred, more than ahundred, or any integer therebetween.

As seen in FIG. 4, the plurality of channels 26 is formed betweenadjacent plates 18, and may have openings 28, bottom outlets 30, and topoutlets 32. In FIG. 1, the plurality of channels 26 are configured topermit fluid that enter through the openings 28 to flow upwards towardsthe top outlets 32 (as indicated by white arrows 2), and to permit solidimpurities to settle on the plurality of plates 18 or to slide downwardalong the plurality of plates 18 toward the bottom outlet 30 (asindicated by black arrows 4). In effect, the channels are designed toseparate the solid impurities (the higher specific gravity component)from the fluid (the lower specific gravity component) such that thefluid is depleted of at least a portion of the solid impurities as itflows upward to the top outlet 32 at the top edges of the plates 18.Also, the concentration of particles increases as one moves downwardalong the plates.

The channels 26 may be formed between adjacent plates 18 and between twoside walls 34 and 36 on either side of the stack of plates 18. Accordingto one example, the side wall 34 may be a side wall of the receptacle12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Alternatively, the side wall 34 may be aseparate wall from the receptacle 12. The side wall 36 may be a singleplanar wall or a series of planar elements with apertures forming theopenings 28 (in which the planar wall or planar elements may form partof the feed channel 13 as previously discussed). The plates 18 arepositioned between the side walls 34 and 36 using any suitablemechanism. For example, grooves 40 may be formed in the side wall (forexample, as seen in FIG. 6) such that each plate 18 may sit upon theside wall 42 of the groove 40 (for example, as seen in FIG. 4 with theplates 18 in shaded in). Corresponding grooves may also be formed in theside wall 34.

Alternatively, brackets may be attached to the side walls 34 and 36 soas to hold the plates 18 in their positions. For example, FIG. 7 showsan embodiment of the present invention in which brackets 44 are mountedon the side wall 36 and FIG. 8 shows the plates 18 (shaded in) beingheld by the brackets 44. Corresponding brackets are mounted on the sidewall 34. Other mechanisms for maintaining the plates 18 in their slantedorientation can also be used, such as spacers between the plates ordifferent kinds of fasteners, brackets, and support structures attachedbetween the plates and the receptacle.

The openings 28 are arranged as apertures on the side wall 36 so that,when the stack of plates 18 are arranged in their substantially parallelarrangement, the openings 28 leading to the plurality of channels 26 areconfigured to introduce the fluid containing the solid impurities (asthe influent) above the solid particles, which have already separatedfrom the fluid and have settled on or are sliding down the plurality ofplates 18. According to one embodiment of the present invention seen inFIG. 4, the openings 28 are positioned at or just below thedownward-facing surfaces 38 of the plurality of plates 18 with thedownward-facing surfaces facing in an opposite direction from theupward-facing surfaces 39. For example, the openings 28 may bepositioned on an upper portion of the gaps 52, which span the distancesbetween adjacent plates 18. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 8,for example, the openings 28 may be placed within the top half of thespace between adjacent plates 18. According to other embodiments, theopenings 28 may be placed within the top third, the top quarter, or lessof the space between adjacent plates. Also, the openings may have alength of up to about 30-35% of the overall length of the plates 18, forexample, up to about 20%.

The placement of the openings 28 is advantageous because the fluidcontaining impurities as an influent is introduced into the plurality ofchannels 26 in a manner that inhibits (preferably, prevents) adisrupting or disturbing of the solid impurities, which have separatedfrom the influent. A comparison is shown between FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9shows openings 28A that are located at the same level as the solidimpurities 46, which have already separated from the fluid and eitherhave settled on or are sliding down the plurality of plates 18. FIG. 10shows openings 28 that are located at a level above the solid impurities46 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 showsthat a mixing of the influent and the solid impurities occur when theopening 28A is located at the same level as the solid impurities 46.Such a mixing reduces the effective plate utilization area of thechannels for separating the fluid from the solid impurities by up to 20%or more because the sedimentation that would have taken place in thearea of the plate near the opening 28 (which has a length of up to 20%of the plate length) is severely reduced or non-existent. This reductionhas a profound impact on the size of the apparatus 10.

Furthermore, the mixing of the influent and solid impurities shown inFIG. 9 also causes the area 47 above the opening 28A to be lesseffective because particles are being pushed upward into this area. Inother words, the particles that are typically disturbed in thearrangement of FIG. 9 are not only those particles around the opening28A but also above it. By placing the openings 28 at a level above thesolid impurities 46, as shown in FIG. 10, the particles in the area 47are not as disturbed by the turbulence caused by the incoming influent,thus increasing the plate utilization area of the channels.

FIG. 10 shows that a mixing of the influent and the solid impurities isinhibited when the opening 28 is located at a level above the solidimpurities 46. The reason for the lack of mixing is that the incominginfluent (the fluid containing solid impurities) exerts less of a forceon the solid impurities 46 that have settled on or are sliding down theplurality of plates 18. According to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the incoming influent may exert no significant force on thesolid impurities 46. A significant force may be that no movement iscaused by the incoming influent for greater than 75% of the solidimpurities that have settled on or are sliding down the plurality ofplates 18, preferably no movement is caused for greater than 90% of thesolid impurities, most preferably no movement is caused for greater than95% of the solid impurities.

Because the incoming influent is introduced above the solid impuritiesthat have settled on or are sliding down the plurality of plates 18,mixing and re-entrainment of the solid impurities that have beenseparated from the fluid is greatly reduced. As a result, sedimentationmay occur in the area of the plate near the opening 28 (which has alength of up to 20% or more of the plate length), thus, the effectiveplate utilization area of the channels is increased by up to 20% ormore, which means that the effective plate utilization area of thechannels may approach up to 100%. Such an increase in efficiency maylead to about a 25% increase in capacity relative to current designsand/or a reduction of cost of up to 25%.

Besides the openings 28 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the openings may takeother forms according to other embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, although the openings 28 are shown in FIGS. 4-8 and 10 areelongated oval-shaped, the openings may have any suitable shape, such asrectangular, half-elongated oval-shaped, a plurality of circularapertures, or other similar shape. Also, placement of the opening 28along the plate's length may be in any suitable location. For example,the midpoint of the opening may be at substantially the midpoint alongthe plate's length, at a third of the plate's length from the bottomedge, or at a quarter of the plate's length from the bottom edge. FIGS.16A-16D shows an example of a stack of plates 18 that can be used in theapparatus 10 in which the opening 28 of the channels are placed near thebottom of the plate 18. FIG. 16A shows the side of the stack where theposition of the openings 28 can be clearly seen. FIGS. 16B, 16C, and 16Dshow the side view, top view, and isometric view of the plate stack ofFIG. 16A, respectively. The plates 18 are connected together through theuse of brackets 53. FIG. 16E shows a detailed view of one of thebrackets 53 of FIG. 16D.

Further, the size of the openings may be any desirable size such as, forexample, having a opening length of 35% of the plate length, 20% of theplate length, 10% of the plate length, 5% of the plate length, or anypercentage integer therebetween.

The channels and openings may also be formed in other ways. For example,FIG. 11 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. Instead of onelarge side wall 36, a plurality of separate spacers 48 are used to helpform the plurality of channels 26. The spacers 48A-48C are interspersedbetween and attached to the plurality of plates 18 at the side edges andtop edges of the plates. The openings 28 to the channels 26 may then beprovided on the separate spacers 48A located on one side of the platesin the form of cut-outs 50A which forms the openings when the plates 18are stacked. The bottom edges of the plates are open with no spacers.According to another embodiment, the spacers 48C are removed entirely soas to be open at the top edges of the plate in a manner similar to thebottom edges of the plates, as seen in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, thefeed channel 13 would be formed, in part, by the spacers 48A instead ofthe side wall 36. The plates 18 may also be placed on or within asupport structure 80 disposed in the receptacle 12 so that the plates 18may be stacked at an incline defined by the acute angle α, as seen inFIG. 14.

FIG. 12 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the spacers 48A and 48B that are interspersed between theplurality of plates 18 at their sides are integral with one of theiradjacent plates as one-piece. There are no spacers at the top and bottomof the plates. In this embodiment as with the embodiment in FIG. 11, thespacers 48A on one side of the plates have cut-outs 50A which form theopenings when the plates 18 are stacked; the feed channel 13 would beformed, in part, by the spacers 48A; and the plates 18 may also beplaced on or within a support structure 80 disposed in the receptacle 12so that the plates 18 may be stacked at an incline defined by the acuteangle α, as seen in FIG. 14.

FIG. 13 shows the formation of the channels from the plurality of platesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the spacer 48C at the top of the plates may be integral withone of their adjacent plates as one-piece. The spacers 48A and 48B thatare interspersed between the plurality of plates 18 at their sides areseparate pieces. In this embodiment as with the embodiment in FIG. 11,the spacers 48A on one side of the plates have cut-outs 50A which formthe openings when the plates 18 are stacked; the feed channel 13 wouldbe formed, in part, by the spacers 48A; and the plates 18 may also beplaced on or within a support structure 80 disposed in the receptacle 12so that the plates 18 may be stacked at an incline defined by the acuteangle α, as seen in FIG. 14.

Besides the openings 26 for entry of the fluid containing solidimpurities, the channels 26 have a bottom outlet 30 at the bottom edges20 of the plates 18 and a top outlet 32 at the top edges 22 of theplates 18.

The bottom outlet 30 is used as an exit for the solid impurities thatslide down the plurality of plates 18. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 4,8, and 11-13 the bottom outlet 30 is merely a space formed betweenadjacent plates between their bottom edges 20. In alternate embodiments,the bottom outlet 30 may include a spacer with one or more cutouts (in amanner similar to spacers 48C at the top of the plate) in which thecutout(s) may be of any suitable size or shape.

The bottom outlet 30 is in fluid communication with an impuritiescollection section 54 configured to receive the separated solidimpurities. The impurities collection section 54 may comprise a sludgecollection zone 56 and a sludge outlet channel 58, as seen in FIG. 1.The sludge collection zone 56 may be a hopper, a funneling andcollecting structure, a channeling and collecting structure, or othersimilar structures. The entrance of the sludge collection zone 56 may besmaller than the width of the plates 18 so that the plates 18 aresupported above the sludge collection zone 56. As seen in FIG. 2, thesludge outlet channel 58 may be in fluid communication with one or moretreatment apparatuses 60. For example, the sludge flow may be dewateredand/or processed by suitable hygienic measures (e.g., stabilization) inone or more treatment apparatuses 60. Other treatment processes mayinclude one or more of the following: centrifuges, sludge drying beds,plate-and-frame filter presses, belt filter presses, or any othersuitable process.

The top outlets 32 for the channels 26 lead to the outlet section 15 atthe top edges of the plurality of plates 18, which is configured todischarge effluent (that is, fluid that has been depleted of at least aportion of the solid impurities) out of the receptacle 12. In theembodiments of FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, the top outlet 32 is merely a spaceformed between adjacent plates between their top edges 22. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 11-13, the top outlet 32 may include one ormore cutouts 83 on the top spacer 48C in which the cutout(s) may be ofany suitable size or shape. According to other embodiments, the spacer48C may be eliminated altogether from the embodiments shown in FIGS.11-13.

The outlet section 15 may comprise an effluent collection section 64with a distribution plate 66, an overflow weir 68, and an outlet channel70. FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 shows that the effluent collection section 64 maybe receptacle 69 placed at a location above the plurality of plates. Thereceptacle has side walls 65 that protrude up from the distributionplate 66. The distribution plate 66 includes apertures 67 in which thefluid that has been depleted by at least a portion of the impuritiesflow through the top outlet 32, through the apertures 67 and into thereceptacle 69. The receptacle collects the effluent from the channels 26until the level of the effluent reaches the height of the overflow weir68. If more than one stack of plates is being used in the apparatus 10,there can be a receptacle 69 for each stack, a receptacle for aplurality of stacks, or one receptacle for all the stacks. The effluentthen flows over the overflow weir 68 into the outlet channel 70. Theoutlet channel 70 collects the effluent and directs it to an exit 72.The exit 72 may optionally be in fluid communication with one or moretreatment systems 74 so as to further deplete the fluid of other orsimilar impurities before being channeled or collected for use orreleased into the environment.

Other embodiments of the outlet section are also contemplated, such asthe use of submerged or non-submerged orifices, weirs, v-notched weirs,and the like. For example, the effluent collection section 64 may be areceptacle 69 having no distribution plate at all, but is simply open atthe bottom of the receptacle 69. In this embodiment, the fluid that hasbeen depleted by at least a portion of the impurities flows through thetop outlet 32 and into the receptacle 69 such that the effluent from thechannels 26 is collected until the level of the effluent reaches theheight of the overflow weir 68.

The method of separating the solid impurities from the fluid containingsolid impurities using the device 10 will now be explained. The methodstarts by introducing influent comprising a fluid containing solidimpurities from the fluid delivery system 102 into the plurality ofchannels 26 via the inlet section 14, the feed channel 13, and theopenings 28 of the side wall 36 (or the spacers 48A, depending on theembodiment). The influent is introduced into the plurality of channels26 in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of solidimpurities 46, which have separated from the influent. For instance, theinfluent may be introduced into the plurality of channels 26sufficiently above the separated solid impurities 46, for example, byintroducing the influent at or just below the downward-facing surfaces38 of the plurality of plates 18. The influent introduced at thislocation may flow at a flow rate or velocity that minimizes an exertionof a disrupting or disturbing force against the separated solidimpurities 46.

Next, at least a portion of the solid impurities initially present inthe influent is allowed to settle on the upward-facing surfaces 39 ofthe plurality of plates 18 or slide down the upward-facing surfaces 39.The solid impurities 46 settle on the plurality of plates 18 by gravityor slide down the plurality of plates 18 by the force of gravity. Theseparated solid impurities 46 that slide down the plurality of platesmay be collected into the sludge collection zone 56 of the impuritiescollection section 54, and directed through the sludge outlet channel58. The separated solid impurities may optionally be further treated inone or more treatment apparatuses 60 by dewatering and/or by suitablehygienic measures (e.g., sterilization).

While the portion of the solid impurities settles on or slides down theupward-facing surfaces 39 of the plates 18, the fluid, which has beendepleted of the portion of solid impurities 46, which have separatedfrom the influent, is permitted to flow upward toward the top edges 22of the plurality of plates 18 where the depleted fluid can be dischargedas effluent into the receptacle 69 of the effluent collection section 64via the apertures 67 in the distribution plate 66. The receptacle 69collects the effluent from the channels 26 until the level of theeffluent reaches the height of the overflow weir 68. Then, the effluentflows over the overflow weir 68 into the outlet channel 70. The effluentis directed to the exit 72, where the effluent may optionally be furthertreated with one or more treatment systems 74 before being channeled orcollected for use or release into the environment.

Other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated. FIG.15 shows a device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The embodiment of FIG. 15 is substantially similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1 except that a treatment apparatus 148 is connectedto the inlet section 14. The treatment apparatus 148 may comprise ahousing 150 containing an inlet 152 for the fluid containing solidimpurities, a flash mix tank 154, a secondary inlet 156, a flocculationtank 158, and an outlet 160 in fluid communication with the inletsection 14 of the apparatus 10. In the treatment apparatus, the fluidwith solid impurities is introduced into the housing 150 via the inlet152. The inlet 152 may be in fluid communication with a fluid deliverysystem 102, like that shown in FIG. 2.

Coagulants or flocculating agents are introduced into the housing 152via the secondary inlet 156. The fluid containing solid impurities andthe coagulants or flocculating agents are mixed in the flash mix tank154. The coagulants or flocculating agents, (for example, such asaluminum or iron salts) may react with the solid impurities in the flashmix and flocculation tank 158 so that large particles of solidimpurities may form. These larger particles of solid impurities willfacilitate the settling of the solid impurities onto the upward-facingsurfaces of the plurality of plates or the sliding down of the solidimpurities on the upward-facing surfaces of the plates.

To properly mix the coagulants or flocculating agents with the fluidcontaining solid impurities, there may be a serpentine path from theflash mix tank 154 to the flocculation tank 158, and the flocculationtank 150 may include one or more mixing devices 162. Suitable mixingdevices may include one or more perforated panels that reciprocate inthe flocculation tank 150, rotatable paddles, impeller-type mixersand/or other types of mixers. The rotation of the mixing devices 162 inthe flocculation tank 150 may be caused by one or more motors 164mounted on the housing 150 and controlled by the controller 107. Aftermixing and then being treated in the flocculation tank, the fluidcontaining solid particles then exits through the outlet 160 of thehousing 150 and into the inlet section 14 of the apparatus 10.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, other treatmentdevices may be used before or after the apparatus 10 in the system 100,in addition to or as an alternative to the treatment apparatus 148.

Besides those embodiments depicted in the figures and described in theabove description, other embodiments of the present invention are alsocontemplated. For example, any single feature of one embodiment of thepresent invention may be used in any other embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, the apparatus and method for treating a liquidcontaining impurities, may comprises any two or more of the followingfeatures in any combination:

-   -   a. introducing influent comprising a fluid containing solid        impurities into a plurality of channels, which are formed by a        plurality of plates, each plate having a bottom edge, a top edge        and at least one side edge connecting the bottom and top edges,    -   b. the plurality of plates being stacked substantially parallel        to one another and at an incline defined by an acute angle        measured from a vertical edge joined to a side edge of a plate        comprising the plurality of plates,    -   c. allowing at least a portion of the solid impurities initially        present in the influent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of        the plurality of plates or slide down the upward-facing surfaces        while permitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a        portion of solid impurities, which have separated from the        influent, to flow upward toward the top edges of the plurality        of plates where the depleted fluid can be discharged as        effluent,    -   d. the influent being introduced into the plurality of channels        in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the        solid impurities, which have separated from the influent,    -   e. the influent being introduced into the plurality of channels        sufficiently above the separated solid impurities,    -   f. the influent being introduced at or just below        downward-facing surfaces of the plurality of plates,    -   g. the influent being introduced at a flow rate or velocity that        minimizes an exertion of a disrupting or disturbing force        against the separated solid impurities,    -   h. the solid impurities settling on or sliding down the        plurality of plates by force of gravity,    -   i. collecting the separated solid impurities,    -   j. a receptacle,    -   k. an inlet section for flow of influent comprising a fluid        containing solid impurities into the receptacle,    -   l. a plurality of plates disposed within the receptacle, each        plate having a bottom edge, a top edge and at least one side        edge connecting the bottom and top edges,    -   m. the plurality of plates being stacked substantially parallel        to one another and at an incline defined by an acute angle        measured from a vertical edge joined to a side edge of a plate        comprising the plurality of plates,    -   n. a plurality of channels formed between adjacent plates of the        plurality of plates,    -   o. the plurality of channels being configured to permit fluid to        flow upwards and to permit solid impurities to settle on the        plurality of plates or to slide downward along the plurality of        plates,    -   p. an outlet section at the top edges of the plurality of        plates, which is configured to discharge effluent out of the        receptacle,    -   q. openings leading to the plurality of channels being        configured to introduce influent above the solid impurities,        which have separated from the fluid by settling on or sliding        down the plurality of plates,    -   r. the openings being positioned at or just below        downward-facing surfaces of the plurality of plates,    -   s. the openings being positioned on an upper portion of gaps,        which span the distances between adjacent plates of the        plurality of plates,    -   t. an impurities collection section configured to received the        separated solid impurities,    -   u. the impurities collection section comprising a sludge        collection zone and a sludge outlet channel, and    -   v. the outlet section comprising an effluent collection section        with a distribution plate, an overflow weir, and an outlet        channel.

Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the artwould appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modificationswithin the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, allmodifications attainable by one versed in the art from the presentdisclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are tobe included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scopeof the present invention is to be defined as set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of separating solid impurities from afluid containing solid impurities, comprising: introducing influentcomprising a fluid containing solid impurities into a plurality ofchannels, which are formed by a plurality of plates, each plate having abottom edge, a top edge and at least one side edge connecting the bottomand top edges, the plurality of plates being stacked substantiallyparallel to one another and at an incline defined by an acute anglemeasured from a vertical edge joined to a side edge of a platecomprising said plurality of plates; allowing at least a portion of thesolid impurities initially present in the influent to settle onupward-facing surfaces of said plurality of plates or to slide downwardalong said upward-facing surfaces of said plurality of plates whilepermitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a portion of solidimpurities that have separated from the influent, to flow upward towardthe top edges of said plurality of plates; wherein influent isintroduced through a plurality of openings, each opening configured tolead to a predetermined channel to permit introduction of influent tothe plurality of channels; and wherein each of the openings has amidpoint, each midpoint being positioned a first distance from saidupward-facing surface of each plate and a second distance from adownward-facing surface of an adjacent plate, the first distance beingparallel to and greater than the second distance, such that the influentis introduced above solid impurities that have separated from the fluidby settling on or sliding down said upward-facing surfaces of saidplurality of plates.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the openings arepositioned on an upper half portion of a gap that spans a distancebetween adjacent plates of said plurality of plates.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein influent is introduced at or just below downward-facingsurfaces of said plurality of plates.
 4. The method of claim 2 whereininfluent is introduced at a velocity that minimizes an exertion of adisrupting or disturbing force against the separated solid impurities.5. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid impurities settle on or slidedown said plurality of plates by force of gravity.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 which further comprises collecting the separated solidimpurities.
 7. An apparatus for separating solid impurities from a fluidcontaining solid impurities, comprising: a receptacle; an inlet sectionfor flow of influent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities intothe receptacle; a plurality of plates disposed within the receptacle,each plate having a bottom edge, a top edge and at least one side edgeconnecting the bottom and top edges, the plurality of plates beingstacked substantially parallel to one another and at an incline definedby an acute angle measured from a vertical edge joined to a side edge ofa plate comprising said plurality of plates; a plurality of channelsformed between adjacent plates of said plurality of plates, theplurality of channels being configured to permit the fluid to flowupwards and to permit solid impurities to settle on upward-facingsurfaces of said plurality of plates or to slide downward along saidupward-facing surfaces of said plurality of plates; an outlet section atthe top edges of said plurality of plates, which is configured todischarge effluent out of the receptacle; and a plurality of openingseach leading to a predetermined channel to permit introduction ofinfluent to the plurality of channels; wherein each of the openings hasa midpoint, each midpoint being positioned a first distance from saidupward-facing surface of each plate and a second distance from adownward-facing surface of an adjacent plate, the first distance beingparallel to and greater than the second distance, such that the influentis introduced above solid impurities that have separated from the fluidby settling on or sliding down said upward-facing surfaces of saidplurality of plates.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of theopenings is positioned on an upper half portion of a gap that spans adistance between adjacent plates of said plurality of plates.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7 in which the openings are positioned at or justbelow said downward-facing surfaces of said plurality of plates.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein a length of each opening is less than orequal to 35% of a length of the plate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein each midpoint is positioned between a quarter of the length ofthe plate from the bottom edge of the plate to the midpoint of thelength of the plate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of theopenings contains a lower edge that is positioned vertically above thebottom edge of each plate.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7 furthercomprising a plurality of spacers interspersed between the side edges ofthe plurality of plates, wherein the plurality of spacers containcutouts which form the openings wherein influent is introduced into theplurality of channels.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein theplurality of spacers are attached to the side edges of the plurality ofplates.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a flocculationtank connected to the inlet section, wherein the flocculation tank isconfigured to mix the influent so as to form larger solid impuritiesbefore the influent is introduced into the receptacle.
 16. The apparatusof claim 7 further comprising an impurities collection sectionconfigured to receive the separated solid impurities.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16 wherein the impurities collection section comprises a sludgecollection zone and a sludge outlet channel.
 18. The apparatus of claim7 wherein the outlet section comprises an effluent collection sectionwith a distribution plate, an overflow weir, and an outlet channel.